Flood Watch issued September 20 at 1:07PM EDT until September 21 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...Portions of Indiana, including the following counties, Dearborn, Fayette, Franklin, Ripley, Union and Wayne and Ohio, including the following counties, Adams, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Highland, Hocking, Licking, Logan, Madison, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Shelby, Union and Warren.
* WHEN...From 7 PM EDT this evening through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Showers and thunderstorms producing heavy rain will impact the area overnight. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected with locally higher amounts. The heavy rain combined with saturated ground will lead to potential flash flooding.

Flood Warning issued September 20 at 1:05PM EDT until September 21 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

...Forecast flooding changed to Minor severity and increased in duration for the following rivers...
St. Marys River at Rockford.
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...St. Marys River at Rockford.
* WHEN...Until Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 13.0 feet, State Route 117 near Route 118 north of Rockford is water-covered and closed.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 12:40 PM EDT Sunday the stage was 13.0 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 13.0 feet this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage just after midnight tonight. - Flood stage is 13.0 feet.

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Officials consider promotional video

Mercer County

By Shelley Grieshop

Grab the popcorn - a video showcasing the local area could be coming soon to a Web site near you.

Mercer County commissioners recently held a teleconference meeting with CGI Communications to learn about a video program that could introduce prospective businesses, residents and tourists to the county via a Web site.

John Bruns, president of the board of commissioners, said the best part of the plan is its cost to the county: nothing.

"From what we understand so far, it seems pretty interesting," he added.

CGI staff would, for example, videotape Grand Lake, museums, restaurants and hotels, hospitals, realty, financial institutions, the state park, the county courthouse and other sites and place the video/audio stream on a specific Web site for viewers.

"It would help us highlight the county more," Bruns said.

CGI, based in Rochester, N.Y., is a member of the National Association of Counties and provides products and services for image support to chambers, visitor bureaus and municipalities. All CGI programs are offered at no cost to counties.

Commissioners plan to hold a meeting with county Economic Development Director Jared Ebbing, Auglaize-Mercer Counties Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Donna Grube and Celina-Mercer Chamber of Commerce Director Pam Buschur to discuss the venture. The video/audio likely would be an asset to all the officials and could be placed on one of their Web sites with links to the others, Bruns added.

While the county doesn't pay a dime, the program is funded by businesses and organizations who wish to advertise on the Web site where the video stream is placed. CGI pursues those advertisers.

CGI also offers a similar Web video/audio option to each advertiser for their specific business as another means of profit for the company.

Archive of November 24th, 2009

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City council moves to buy property

Special meeting scheduled on Saturday to discuss issue

The city of Celina is poised to acquire and clean up a run-down property that has upset neighbors for several years.

City council members on Monday [More]

Subscriber and paid stories on this date

Case against former baby sitter continues

Tamara Evers has been indicted for making false statements in baby's death

A 45-year-old St. Henry woman made an initial appearance Monday afternoon in Mercer County Common Pleas Court after being indicted on one count of perjury in connection with the July 2008 death of a 6-month-old infant for whom she baby-sat.

School board freezes staff wages to fill deficit

Both unions were aware freeze could happen when they negotiated contracts

ST. MARYS - Wages for St. Marys City schools staff will be frozen next fiscal year due to a deficit fund balance of $1.2 million as of June 30.

The freeze will save the district $330,000.

Council OKs connection to wastewater system

East Jefferson Township

Celina City Council members on Monday night approved a contract with Mercer County commissioners to start a $2.5 million project to connect more East Jefferson Township residents to the city's wastewater system.

Town employees net raises for 2010

St. Henry

ST. HENRY - Village councilors approved first readings of ordinances that give 1 to 2 percent raises to nearly every town employee effective Jan. 1.

Multiple charges filed against Celina man

A 30-year-old Celina man faces multiple charges after he reportedly threatened patrons of a Coldwater bar with a bow and arrow early Sunday morning.

Coldwater hires part-time patrolman

COLDWATER - Coldwater Police Department's newest officer, Jacob Foxhoven of St. Marys, was introduced at Monday's village council meeting.

Foxhoven

Homan earns second team honors in Big Ten

PARK RIDGE, Ill. (AP) - After rolling to another Big Ten title, the Ohio State football team picked up several all-league accolades and there was a Grand Lake area representative in the mix as well.